Tea polyphenols: application in the control of oral microorganism infectious diseases

One of the most popular drinks worldwide, tea is rich in polyphenols and is beneficial to our health because it contributes to the prevention of many diseases. In the human oral cavity, there are more than 750 different species of bacteria living together within dental plaque. Some of the bacteria are pathogens that contribute to the development of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, pulpitis, mucosal disease, or halitosis through their virulence factors and their metabolites. Until now, many studies have reported that tea polyphenols (TPs) have evident inhibitory effects on some oral pathogenic microorganisms by suppressing pivotal steps of their pathogenic processes. The aim of this review is to summarize the effectiveness and mechanisms of TPs in inhibiting microorganisms, so as to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, and to contribute to the global dental public health.